Historic Presque Isle home to hold open house on 20th anniversary of owner’s death

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Marking the 20th anniversary of its namesake’s death, the Vera Estey House Museum will hold an open house with guided tours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29.

Located on 16 Third Street in Presque Isle, the Vera Estey House, built circa 1875, is part of the Presque Isle Historical Society. This home is filled with preserved contents from the early 1900s, willed to the society by the late Vera Estey, who died at the age of 98 in 1992.

Estey, who moved into the home in 1917, never married and was a female entrepreneur, which was uncommon for the time period. She was an avid gardener, known for her tulips and “Lilies of the Valley,” which she commonly sold at Boston Fresh Flower Markets.

An endowment fund from Estey maintains the home’s upkeep and on-going preservation projects on-site, including a perennial garden.

Story continues below advertisement.

The open house will include a bake sale, 19th century children’s games on the lawn and face painting sponsored by Northern Maine Community College’s academic honor society, Phi Theta Kappa. Admission will be free, though the museum will accept donations.

Free one-hour guided tours will be offered at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., with limited spots per tour. Reservations can be made by calling the Presque Isle Historical Society at 762-1151, and callers must include the amount of guests and preferred time slot.